Zambia Nov 2017: Toka Leya

Transferring by bush plane from Zimbabwe to Botswana we had a brief one-night stay in Zambia at Toka Leya. Set within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the banks of the Zambezi River, the beautiful tented camp is perfectly situated for a sundowner cruise towards Victoria Falls.

Though one cannot get close to the falls, we enjoyed excellent views of Rock Pratincole, Water Thick-knees and boisterous White-crowned Lapwings standing along boulder-strewn rapids.

We were delighted to tick two sought-after African specialities: Finfoot and Skimmer. The Finfoot moved among overhanging vegetation hugging the shoreline, while the Skimmer loafed on sandbars with their well-grown chicks.

In our well-positioned boat, we watched a colony of White-throated Bee-eaters zip over our heads and rest on bare branches, right before they headed into their burrows for the night. We were impressed by the strength of a herd of Elephants swimming across the mighty Zambezi.